Chapter 108—Exposed!

All efforts to make Trent and Itzel live in peace failed, they had grown so apart. Just like Madam Carmen told Lena, it had been a week and Itzel wasn't even sorry about her action. She kept giving everyone cold shoulders except Lena but that didn't make Henderson change his mind about grounding her even though Lena pleaded with him to unground her. This time around Trent wasn't having it, he no longer kept quiet whenever Itzel picked up a fight with him or hurled insults at him. Lena was concerned about it, she cautioned him saying two wrongs could never make a right but Henderson on the other hand had no problems with it, he seemed pleased. Whenever Lena would try to tell Itzel that her dad didn't hate her as she thought, Itzel always said that Lena was only saying that because Henderson was her husband. Lena's mom paid them a visit two days ago and they got talking. Lena told her she felt as though she wasn't a good mother to the kids but her mom assured her that she was the best mother those kids could ever have. Lena's mom told Lena how she truly felt about Maya being a teacher in the kids' school, she shared the same thoughts with Henderson. Lena had told her mom that Henderson still felt that Maya was up to no good but Lena thought otherwise, she wanted to give Maya a chance. Lena's mom spoke to the kids but it didn't change a thing. "Babe, I think it's high time you speak to Itzel. She thinks you no longer love her. She won't even speak to anyone in the house, I'm getting really worried about her. It bothers me a lot. She is just a kid and having to go through this is not fair." Lena paused turning to peer at Henderson, they were taking a stroll outside the house. "I've got this, baby. You have nothing to worry about. I know you love Itzel but sometimes tough love is the best especially when you have a daughter like Itzel." Henderson smiled wrapping his hand around Lena's waist. "But still. I feel bad about this," Lena sighed. Henderson let out a chuckle and held her hands. "I'm doing it myself so you don't have to worry about anything. You are number one in her good books. I'm pretty sure she hates me now but soon she's going to understand that I'm doing this because I love her. And about Trent, you should stop scolding that little guy, as far as I'm concerned he isn't doing anything wrong. Haven't you noticed that Itzel has drawn back a bit picking up fights with him? That's because he's no longer the peacemaker sometimes, it better to have two battle lords." Lena huffed in annoyance wriggling her head in objection. "I can't believe you are saying this. Our kids battle lords?" Lena's face contorted in a frown and she pulled away from Henderson and ambled steps away from him but before she could take another step Henderson came in front of her. "Baby, I'm sorry but it was just an expression. I would never let our kids become actual battle lords. Trust me, it hurts me to see them fight, quarrel and argue. I don't like it as well but as parents, we have to do what we have to do." Henderson smiled draping his hands around Lena he hugged her. "it will be okay. Soon, trust me, Lee." "I hope so. I'm sorry for reacting that way... I just...." Henderson broke the hug and cupped Lena's face with his palms then he kissed her. "It's fine but think Itzel deserves to be scolded even more for making my wife worried." He joked making Lena shoot him a glare. "No. What I think you should do is unground her?" Lena muttered. "I love you, Lee." Lena's brows puckered and she folded her arms across her chest as she peered at Henderson. "I love you but is this your way of saying can we not talk about this?" "I guess so," Henderson nodded chuckling. Lena huffed, "You are unbelievable babe." ............ ........... "You are just so silly. Are you stupid? How many times have I told you that I do not want to talk to you!" Itzel hurled glaring at Trent. An exasperated sigh left her lips as she placed her hands on her hips, her face was twisted in a frown. "What did I do wrong this time? I'm just trying to make things right, can't you see that mommy and daddy are unhappy because we keep fighting every single time." Trent took a deep breath walking closer to her. "You think I hate you? I don't, you are my sister and I love you. Mommy loves you and Daddy loves you too." Itzel moved away seeing how close Trent was standing to her. At this moment, she hated the sight of him. After all, he was responsible for all that was happening yet he was acting innocent. "I doubt that. You are Daddy's favourite and I'm just a bad girl.." Itzel tone was calm this time as she spoke and her voice kept breaking. Tears gathered in her eyes, she kept batting her lashes to stop them from falling. "That's not true, Itzel. Daddy loves us both. Even though Mommy keeps taking your side I've never said you are her favourite." Trent let out. "Don't try to make me feel bad Trent like Daddy does. Aunt Maya was right all along." Itzel muttered lowly letting the tears roll down her cheeks. "Maya has been right about what?" Henderson questioned making Itzel gasp and put a hand over her mouth. Lena and Henderson walked into the room earlier but Trent and Itzel didn't notice since they were arguing, Lena wanted to say something to make the kids aware of their presence but Henderson stopped her. They stood there in silence listening to the kids' exchange of words. Lena felt bad when Trent said she was always taking Itzel's side but she knew it wasn't a lie, it was the truth but she didn't see it that way she just felt that she didn't want Itzel to feel alone and doing that it turned out she made Trent feel like she was choosing Itzel over him even though he didn't say it. "What did Maya say to you, Itzel?" Henderson asked for the second time since itzel went silent. "Aunt Maya spoke to you? She spoke to me too." Trent uttered turning to Henderson who had a frown marred on his face. Henderson was putting the pieces together, he knew it right from the very first day he got to know that Maya was a teacher in the kids' school and she was up to no good. She definitely had something to do with the problems with the kids. "Trent, what did Maya tell you?" Lena inquired crouching in front of him. "She said you'll always choose Itzel because you love her more. She also said that Daddy would never love me the same way he loves Itzel because I'm not his real son but I told her that it's a lie." "What!" Lena's eyes bulged out and she exhaled in disbelief plopping on the floor. "Oh my goodness, how could I miss all of these? I should have known that Maya was truly up to no good. She did this before but I never thought that she would do it again." Lena's face contorted in anger and she stood up to her feet. "I'm guessing she told you that I don't love you because I love Trent more and that your Mommy doesn't love you, didn't she?" Henderson mumbled shifting his gaze to Itzel who just kept crying. "Daddy please can you unground Itzel?" Trent pleaded tapping Henderson's hand. Henderson nodded putting a small on his face, he patted Trent's hair before moving his gaze to Itzel. "There's no point punishing or scolding you Itzel. I know just what I have to do. You are no longer grounded." Henderson gave a tight nod. "Where is my phone?" Lena said looking around. "Babe calm down." Henderson took Lena's phone from the couch and stretched it to her when he got to her. "Thank you," She appreciated as she took it from him. She unlocked the phone and began to tap on it. "Are you trying to call Maya?" Henderson asked and she nodded a yes. He shook his head, "Don't call her baby. Thank God it's a Friday. I have a better way we can go about this." An evil smirk marred Henderson's face and he cackled. NEXT DAY....... "What did I tell you? Your Daddy doesn't care. But I'll always be here...." A round of applause filled the room accompanied by a mocking laughter which stopped Maya from completing her sentence. She stood up to her feet and swiftly veered around, she froze in shock as she saw Henderson, Lena, Madam Carmen, Brighton, and Trent behind her with different expressions on their faces as they looked at her. "How could you do such a thing, Maya?" Brighton was the first to speak, disappointment was written all over his face. His eyes blazed with hurt and anger as he peeked at her. Her shoulders drooped and she gazed downward in embarrassment. Now that she thought about it she realised how foolish she must have been, first Henderson's called her last night inviting her over to the house saying they wanted to theirw a surprise birthday party for Brighton. But when she got to the mansion today, Itzel told her that everyone went out to get everything ready for the party and Brighton was yet to come. At first, she found it odd but she concluded that nothing could go wrong after all she had succeeded in manipulating Itzel to believe her words but a part of her told her to be weary of Trent, that boy was just too smart for her. He always had something to say to counter her words whenever she tried to poison his mind against Lena or Henderson but she didn't think things would turn out this way. Last night, Trent and Itzel reconciled after Lena and Henderson explained everything to them and assured them of their love. Itzel was very remorseful, and she wouldn't stop crying even after Trent told her that he had forgiven her and had nothing against her. She still felt bad for listening to Maya's words again especially since Maya had tricked her into fighting with Trent before. Henderson told them of his plan to invite Maya over and they agreed, Itzel said she was going to make Maya reveal her true colours, even though Lena wasn't okay with the plan Trent, Henderson and Itzel convinced her that it was for the best so she agreed. Henderson invited Brighton over but he didn't tell him why, he wanted his friend to know the true colours of the woman he was planning to ask to be his girlfriend. Suddenly, Maya burst out laughing and held her head high, she put her hands on her waist gazing back at them after her laughter died down. "How could I do such a thing? Tell me why shouldn't I? I've always loved Henderson, I still love him. Do you think I care about you, Brighton?" Maya laughed hysterically clapping her hands together. "Trent, Itzel let's go upstairs." Madam Carmen beckoned when she saw Maya's display. She didn't want the kids to see or hear any of her absurd and crazy words and actions. The kids nodded and followed her as she led them upstairs. "I can't believe I was stupid enough to believe that you really changed." Brighton puffed out a breath walking around the room. He was hurt by Maya's words, it was even more painful because she didn't care. "I wanted to get back at Henderson for rejecting me and make Lena pay for taking my love away from me. And I gave it a thought, the best way to do that would be to tear their lovely family apart, I was doing that until you riffraff had to find out but guess what, I do not regret it. You all can go to...." The rest of Maya's statement was stuck in her mouth as Lena's palm collided with her cheek. As she made to say another word boom! Lena smacked her on the face once again. "We don't want to listen to you again. Get the hell out, you are such a pathetic fool. You need help and you know what I'm glad that Brighton has seen your true colours. You do not deserve him or anybody else. You deserve to rot in hell for your evil doings!" Lena harshed pushing Maya. Maya fell to the floor holding onto her cheeks, her mouth hanging open. She was shocked to the core, she had never seen Lena that way before. Maya was kicked out of the house. Henderson made sure to get Maya fired from the school, he went as far as getting a restraining order against her. Brighton was heartbroken, he had started to develop feelings for Maya but just like Brian, Lena and Henderson made him realise it was better he found out before getting into a relationship with someone like her.